Pentagon Tests Global Internet Routing Via Satellite

Atlas Launch Cisco's space Internet router launched aboard an Atlas 5 rocket on November 23, 2009. ULA/Pat Corkery

Communication satellites have traditionally acted as transfer points for data beamed up from the ground. But the first commercial satellite with its own Internet router could eliminate the usual satellite-relay transfer lag and more flexibly handle voice, video and data communications for U.S. and NATO military forces anywhere around the world. The U.S. Department of Defense plans to kick off a three-month demo of the space technology this week, according to Aviation Week's Ares Defense Blog.

Cisco recently conducted a successful test of the Internet Protocol Routing in Space (IRIS) payload, which launched aboard an Intelsat IS-14 satellite last November. Instead of requiring multiple bounces for users scattered around the globe, IRIS can reroute data between any ground users in a single satellite hop, without involving any extra ground stations or multiple satellite beams. It essentially forms the backbone of a network for mobile Internet access anywhere in the world.

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Technology, Jeremy Hsu, DOD, internet protocol, internet routing, IRIS, NATO, pentagon, satellites, space internet

The IRIS payload's router and modem can even get software upgrades from the ground and extend its useful life -- not a small consideration considering the expense of launching satellites. Perhaps IRIS could someday make use of NASA's more resilient Internet protocol designed for deep-space communications.